A Facebook page feels free and easy. You post a photo, someone likes it, it feels like progress. But a Facebook page is not a substitute for a website, and treating it like one costs you customers.
You don’t own your Facebook page. Facebook can change the algorithm, limit your reach, or shut down your page at any time for reasons you may never understand. A website on your own domain is something nobody can take away from you.
Facebook pages don’t rank in Google search the same way. When someone searches “plumber near me,” Google shows websites, not Facebook pages. A website gives you a chance to appear in those search results. A Facebook page alone leaves you invisible to the largest source of new customers on the internet.
Customers expect a website. A business without a website looks like it’s not fully operational. Even a simple one-page site — your name, what you do, your address, hours, phone number, and a few photos — makes you look legitimate. The bar is low, and most competitors don’t clear it.
What you actually need: A domain name ($12/year), a simple website builder (Squarespace, Wix, or Carrd for a single page), and your Google Business Profile linked to it. That’s it. You don’t need an online store, a blog, or booking software. You need a home page that tells people who you are, how to find you, and why they should call.
Use Facebook for what it’s good at — building community and staying top of mind with existing customers. Use a website for what it’s good at — getting found by new ones.
If you want the broader playbook, read Getting a Local Business Found Online.
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